90min
·11 novembre 2024
90min
·11 novembre 2024
Incoming Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has dropped a large hint that he will use a three-player defence when he takes over this month.
Ruud van Nistelrooy's temporary spell as interim Red Devils manager ended with the 3-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday and Amorim took charge of his final Sporting CP game that evening, leading them to a comeback 4-2 win over Braga - a 14th straight Primeira Liga victory stretching back to April of last season.
The 39-year-old has mainly played with wing-backs in Portugal and has admitted he will likely do the same at Old Trafford as it's a formation he is familiar with.
Amorim took charge of his final Sporting match on Sunday / MIGUEL RIOPA/GettyImages
He said: "I know how I am going to play in the beginning, because you have to start with a structure that you know. Then you will adapt with the players that you have, some injuries, or no injuries, what kind of players have the abilities to defend, attack, I will discover that in the next few weeks.
"We don't have a lot of time to train, so I have to show something that I know very well. You can take whatever you want from that."
Amorim's choice of system will have some large implications for United's squad. Leny Yoro could be a large beneficiary if he partners Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez at the back, while it'll be interesting to see where the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford fit in up front.
The arriving manager won't have too much time with the whole United roster before their next fixture after the November international break, which is a trip to Ipswich Town. Amorim will then have two home games against Bodo/Glimt and Everton before traveling to London to take on Arsenal.
Amorim, who faces his start to work being delayed because a visa has not yet been granted by the UK government, has also admitted he could look to sign Sporting stars next year but ruled out any moves for his former players during the January transfer window.